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Dan + Shay Release 'Most Important' Song About Suicide Prevention
The country duo's new single 'Say So' aims to offer hope and encourage people to reach out for help.
Apr. 3, 2026 at 6:38pm
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Dan + Shay's new song 'Say So' shines a light on the mental health challenges that can lurk behind the glitz and glamour of the music industry.Beverly Hills TodayDan + Shay have released a new song called 'Say So' that they describe as the 'most important release' of their career so far. The track was inspired by the death of their friend Ben Vaughn, a music industry executive who died by suicide in 2025. The song's lyrics encourage listeners who are struggling to reach out for help, with the chorus stating 'If you're going through hell, you're not alone/ If you need somebody, say so.'
Why it matters
Suicide prevention is an important issue, especially in the music industry where mental health challenges are common. Dan + Shay hope this song will encourage open conversations about mental health and inspire people who are struggling to seek support.
The details
The duo says they were moved to write 'Say So' after the death of their friend Ben Vaughn, who took his own life in 2025. They wanted to create a song that could help others who may be going through a difficult time. Both Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney have personally benefited from therapy and want to destigmatize seeking help for mental health issues.
- Dan + Shay released 'Say So' on April 3, 2026.
- Ben Vaughn, the music industry executive who inspired the song, died by suicide in 2025.
The players
Dan + Shay
A popular country music duo consisting of Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney.
Ben Vaughn
A music industry executive who died by suicide in 2025, inspiring Dan + Shay to write their new song 'Say So'.
What they’re saying
“As we were talking about Ben, we were just like, 'Man, I wish we would've known. I wish we could have reminded him that there's always somebody on the other line.'”
— Dan Smyers
“We felt like with [our forthcoming album] project in particular, we needed to come with this song first. We live in a crazy world right now. Obviously in the first verse it touches on Ben's story, and it is very heavy, but I think that the rest of this song really offers hope to people.”
— Shay Mooney
“Talking about these things can oftentimes prevent somebody from getting to that point where they do feel hopeless. It isn't just for people who are already at their wit's end.”
— Shay Mooney
What’s next
Dan + Shay plan to continue promoting 'Say So' and raising awareness about mental health and suicide prevention through their music and platform.
The takeaway
Dan + Shay's new song 'Say So' is a powerful and vulnerable exploration of mental health challenges, inspired by the tragic loss of a friend. By sharing their own experiences with therapy and encouraging listeners to reach out for help, the duo hopes to destigmatize conversations around suicide prevention and provide a message of hope.
